Portfolio

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s role is to develop and implement policies and programs to improve the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of agricultural industries.

The department helps people and goods move in and out of Australian while managing the risks to the environment and animal, plant and human health.

Major priorities for the portfolio include:

• improving productivity growth and sustainability in agriculture, fisheries, forestry and food production; including through reforming the registration of agvet chemicals
• helping farmers to mitigate and adapt to the effects of a changing climate
• reforming national drought policy from a crisis management to a preparedness approach
• managing biosecurity and reforming the system
• maintaining and developing overseas markets.

The department employs about 4200 staff in Australia and overseas, including policy officers, program administrators, scientists, economists, meat inspectors, veterinary officers and quarantine inspectors.

Portfolio agencies

The portfolio consists of:

• The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, including the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
  
• Three Financial Management and Accountability Act (FMA) agencies:
• • Australian Fisheries Management Authority
  • Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
  • Wheat Exports Australia
    
• Seven Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act (CAC) bodies:
• • Wine Australia Corporation
  • Cotton Research and Development Corporation
  • Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
  • Grains Research and Development Corporation
  • Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation
  • Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
  • Sugar Research and Development Corporation

Other

• Standing Council on Primary Industries